Flamengo, the Brazilian football club, is hoping to bring back midfielder Lucas Paqueta from West Ham, beating out their rival Botafogo for the star player's signature. The 27-year-old, who started his career with Flamengo, desires a return to his former team and will have a say in any potential deal next month. Botafogo is also interested in signing Paqueta, and has even offered West Ham their exciting 23-year-old striker Igor Jesus in a possible swap deal. The departure of Paqueta, coupled with injuries to key players like Michail Antonio, has left West Ham in search of both a replacement midfielder and a new striker. Meanwhile, West Ham's Premier League rivals, Sevilla, are hoping to secure a win against Bournemouth and climb up the league table, while still holding out hope for Antonio's return in the future.
Lucas Paqueta: Flamengo and Botafogo Vie for His Return
Background:
Lucas Paqueta, a 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder, began his professional career with Flamengo in 2016. After a successful stint with the club, where he won the Campeonato Carioca and was named the league's best player in 2017, Paqueta moved to AC Milan in 2019. He subsequently joined West Ham United in 2020.
Return to Flamengo:
Flamengo is reportedly hoping to bring Paqueta back to the club next month. The player himself is keen on a return to his former team, where he spent three seasons and left a lasting legacy. The club's president, Rodolfo Landim, recently stated that they are "working hard" to secure Paqueta's return.
Competition from Botafogo:
Flamengo's rival club, Botafogo, is also interested in signing Paqueta. Botafogo has even offered West Ham a potential swap deal involving their 23-year-old striker, Igor Jesus. However, it is believed that Flamengo remains the frontrunner in the race for Paqueta's signature.
West Ham's Situation:
West Ham are in need of a replacement midfielder due to the departure of Paqueta and injuries to key players such as Michail Antonio. The club is reportedly open to selling Paqueta if they can secure a suitable replacement. They have also been linked with a move for Sevilla's Bryan Gil and Nice's Youcef Atal.
Sevilla's Pursuit:
Meanwhile, Sevilla are hoping to strengthen their midfield with the addition of Paqueta. The Spanish club is currently 13th in the La Liga standings and is looking to climb up the table with a win against Bournemouth this weekend. Sevilla also remains hopeful of Antonio's return from injury in the future.
Top 5 FAQs:
Is Lucas Paqueta returning to Flamengo?
Why is Paqueta leaving West Ham?
Who is Botafogo's potential swap deal for Paqueta?
Which club is Sevilla interested in signing?
When is Sevilla playing Bournemouth?
Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw showed his softer side by sharing an endearing message for social media influencer and actress Akriti Agarwal. The duo recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi together, giving fans a glimpse of their camaraderie. Despite facing a setback in the 2025 IPL auction, Shaw is determined to make a strong comeback with his new team and has been working hard to improve his batting skills, according to Maharashtra's chief selector Akshay Darekar.
With a chance to continue their winning streak, Manchester United head to the Etihad for a heated derby match against Manchester City. Despite City's recent struggles, United should not underestimate their rivals as both teams are vying for dominance in the Premier League. However, with last season's win at the Etihad and a confident Ruben Amorim at the helm, United are poised to secure another victory. Meanwhile, the speculation surrounding the future of Manchester United's manager continues, with names like Zinedine Zidane and Sean Dyche being thrown into the mix.
In a thrilling match at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, Spanish champions Barcelona put on a masterclass performance against Valencia. The highlight of the game was Marcus Rashford's top-notch assist for Barcelona's second goal, showing his potential as a loanee from Manchester United. With Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also scoring and the use of VAR, it was a night to remember for Barcelona's fans.
After being sidelined for 383 days due to a major injury, FC Barcelona's Marc Bernal made a stunning comeback during the team's clash with Valencia. The 18-year-old was greeted by a standing ovation from his teammates and fans as he stepped onto the pitch. In just a few minutes, he made an impact by assisting in the team's 6-0 win. This comeback marks a major milestone in Bernal's journey as a player and he will be looking to continue building on this next step in his career.
In a thrilling and high stakes match, India proved their superiority over Pakistan, winning by seven wickets. However, the Indian team's decision to not shake hands with their opponents and captain Suryakumar Yadav's dedication of the win to the armed forces sparked controversy and questions. India's victory was aided by impressive performances from players like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma, who was hailed by Suryakumar as the player of the match. The win has secured India a spot in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup, making it a happy birthday for Suryakumar, who also achieved his personal goal of staying on the crease till the end. With the return of Sourav Ganguly as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Indian cricket is looking to maintain its strong and successful legacy.
India's Kuldeep Yadav takes 3 wickets and Suryakumar Yadav dedicates win to Armed Forces at post-match presentation while Afridi's 36 runs not enough for Pakistan In a highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Pakistan's batting proved to be no match for India's spinners, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 3 wickets and restricting Pakistan to 127 runs. Suryakumar Yadav also shone with his statement dedicating the win to India's Armed Forces. In a dominant display, India easily chased the target in just 16 overs with a brilliant performance from Suryakumar and Afridi's cameo not enough for Pakistan.
The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has been a controversial topic, with some calling for it to be cancelled following recent events. However, the Indian Supreme Court has given the green signal for the match to proceed, citing the new Sports Bill which allows for multi-team tournaments but restricts bilateral ties. The court also declined to list an urgent PIL seeking cancellation of the match.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to kick off their journey in the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 with a clash against each other. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India is seen as one of the leading contenders for the title, with a strong batting unit and a well-rounded bowling attack. On the other hand, UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, is the underdog in this match, but will aim to put up a tough fight in front of their home crowd. With live streaming and telecast details available, fans are eagerly waiting for the showdown between these two teams.
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah proved why he's considered one of the best bowlers in the world as he made a successful T20I comeback against UAE in the Asia Cup 2025. With a searing yorker, Bumrah knocked over opening batter Alishan Sharafu, giving his team an early breakthrough. However, former India captain Ajay Jadeja felt that the star bowler should have been rested for the match against a weaker UAE side. Although there are concerns about his workload, Bumrah continues to shine on the field.
In their opening game of the 2025 Asia Cup, India displayed a dominant performance against the UAE, winning by a staggering margin of 103 runs. Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket haul and Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy and batting prowess led the team to victory. This marks India's first T20 match since February and the team showed no signs of rustiness, asserting their status as one of the top teams in the format.